A Syrian amputee finds hope in Houston

By Houston Chronicle/ Mayra Beltran

on May 12, 2013 7:25 PM

Photo: Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle

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Mohammed Jamous, 15, smiles as he completes sets with Kelly Sacky, Physical Therapist Aquatics, to strengthen his muscles at Texas Orthepedic Hospital on April 2, 2013, in Houston. The Palestine Children's Fund Houston Chapter has helped Mohammed Jamous, of Syria, travel to the U.S. from Jordan on a medical visa without his family to receive a custom prosthetic leg. less

Mohammed Jamous, 15, smiles as he completes sets with Kelly Sacky, Physical Therapist Aquatics, to strengthen his muscles at Texas Orthepedic Hospital on April 2, 2013, in Houston. The Palestine Children's ... more

Mohammed Jamous, 15, takes a break during the aquatic physical therapy session at Texas Orthepedic Hospital on April 2, 2013, in Houston. The Palestine Children's Fund Houston Chapter has helped Mohammed Jamous, of Syria, travel to the U.S. from Jordan on a medical visa without his family to receive a custom prosthetic leg. less

Mohammed Jamous, 15, takes a break during the aquatic physical therapy session at Texas Orthepedic Hospital on April 2, 2013, in Houston. The Palestine Children's Fund Houston Chapter has helped Mohammed ... more

Mohammed Jammous, 14, of Syria, enters into the press conference where Fondren Orthopedic doctors will discuss his care at Texas Orthopedic Hospital on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, in Houston. Mohammed Jammous was brought to Houston by The Palestinian Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), placed with host families since they are traveling without family. less

Mohammed Jammous, 14, of Syria, enters into the press conference where Fondren Orthopedic doctors will discuss his care at Texas Orthopedic Hospital on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, in Houston. Mohammed Jammous was ... more

Mohammed Jammous, 14, listens to the press conference where doctors discuss about his care at Texas Orthopedic Hospital on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, in Houston. Mohammed Jammous was brought to Houston from Syria by The Palestinian Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), and placed with host families since they are traveling without family. less

Mohammed Jammous, 14, listens to the press conference where doctors discuss about his care at Texas Orthopedic Hospital on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, in Houston. Mohammed Jammous was brought to Houston from Syria ... more

Mohammed Jamous, 15, while surfing the internet found a video where strangers are carrying him to the ambulance after an artillery shell killed his friends and he lost his leg on Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Houston. The Palestine Children's Fund Houston Chapter has helped Mohammed Jamous, of Syria, travel to the U.S. from Jordan on a medical visa without his family to receive a custom prosthetic leg. less

Mohammed Jamous, 15, while surfing the internet found a video where strangers are carrying him to the ambulance after an artillery shell killed his friends and he lost his leg on Thursday, March 28, 2013, in ... more

Translator Duha Ayish and Mohammed Jammous, 14, listen to Dr. Gary Brock, of Fondren Orthopedic Group, during his first medical consultation at Texas Orthopedic Hospital on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, in Houston. Mohammed Jammous will have minor stump revision surgery and a prosthesis. Mohammed Jammous was brought to Houston from Syria by The Palestinian Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), and placed with host families since they are traveling without family. less

Mohammed Jammous, 14, looks at x-rays of his stump held by Dr. Gary Brock, of Fondren Orthopedic Group, during his first medical consultation at Texas Orthopedic Hospital on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, in Houston. Mohammed Jammous will have minor stump revision surgery and a prosthesis. Mohammed Jammous was brought to Houston from Syria by The Palestinian Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), and placed with host families since they are traveling without family. less

Mohammed Jammous, 14, looks at x-rays of his stump held by Dr. Gary Brock, of Fondren Orthopedic Group, during his first medical consultation at Texas Orthopedic Hospital on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, in Houston. ... more

Mohammed Jamous, of Syria, hugs Bassam Barazi goodbye along with other members of his host family seconds before driving to IAH to start his long journey home to Jordan on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, in Houston.

Mohammed Jamous, of Syria, hugs Bassam Barazi goodbye along with other members of his host family seconds before driving to IAH to start his long journey home to Jordan on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, in Houston.

Mohammed Jamous, 15, ascends the stair case in the home of his host family after an hour of physical therapy on Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Houston. The Palestine Children's Fund Houston Chapter has helped Mohammed Jamous, of Syria, travel to the U.S. from Jordan on a medical visa without his family to receive a custom prosthetic leg. less

Mohammed Jamous, 15, ascends the stair case in the home of his host family after an hour of physical therapy on Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Houston. The Palestine Children's Fund Houston Chapter has helped ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

Mohammed Jamous, 15, ascends the stair case in the home of his host... Photo-4616668.62215 - Houston Chronicle

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Playing pool is one of Mohammed Jammous' favorite pastimes. Mohammed, who was hurt in the Syrian civil war, will receive a prosthetic leg.

Playing pool is one of Mohammed Jammous' favorite pastimes. Mohammed, who was hurt in the Syrian civil war, will receive a prosthetic leg.

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Staff

Playing pool is one of Mohammed Jammous' favorite pastimes.... Photo-4265287.62215 - Houston Chronicle

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Physical Therapist Ann Sanders asks Mohammed Jamous, 15, to use his strength to kick the ball with his new prothetic leg at Texas Orthepedic Hospital on Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Houston. The Palestine Children's Fund Houston Chapter has helped Mohammed Jamous, of Syria, travel to the U.S. from Jordan on a medical visa without his family to receive a custom prosthetic leg. less

Physical Therapist Ann Sanders asks Mohammed Jamous, 15, to use his strength to kick the ball with his new prothetic leg at Texas Orthepedic Hospital on Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Houston. The Palestine ... more

Mohammed Jamous, 15, learns to flex his leg with his new prosthetic leg with the instruction of physical therapist Ann Sanders in the Rehabilitation Center at Texas Orthepedic Hospital on Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Houston. The Palestine Children's Fund Houston Chapter has helped Mohammed Jamous, of Syria, travel to the U.S. from Jordan on a medical visa without his family to receive a custom prosthetic leg. less

Mohammed Jamous, 15, learns to flex his leg with his new prosthetic leg with the instruction of physical therapist Ann Sanders in the Rehabilitation Center at Texas Orthepedic Hospital on Thursday, March 28, ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

Mohammed Jamous, 15, learns to flex his leg with his new prosthetic... Photo-4616661.62215 - Houston Chronicle

Mohammed Jamous, 15, shows Amal Albarazi, a family member of host family, the artillery shell aftermath video as she see Mohammed covered in blood on Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Houston. The Palestine Children's Fund Houston Chapter has helped Mohammed Jamous, of Syria, travel to the U.S. from Jordan on a medical visa without his family to receive a custom prosthetic leg. less

Mohammed Jamous, 15, shows Amal Albarazi, a family member of host family, the artillery shell aftermath video as she see Mohammed covered in blood on Thursday, March 28, 2013, in Houston. The Palestine ... more

Mohammed Jamous, of Syria, waves goodbye to Bassam Barazi and other members of his host family seconds before driving to IAH to start his long journey home to Jordan on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, in Houston.

Mohammed Jamous, of Syria, waves goodbye to Bassam Barazi and other members of his host family seconds before driving to IAH to start his long journey home to Jordan on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, in Houston.

Mohammed Jamous, of Syria, plays with Tala Khayyal at IAH while Rania Awwad, of The Palestinian Children's Relief Fund, escorts him to the gate to start his long journey home to Jordan on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, in Houston. less

Mohammed Jamous, of Syria, plays with Tala Khayyal at IAH while Rania Awwad, of The Palestinian Children's Relief Fund, escorts him to the gate to start his long journey home to Jordan on Wednesday, May 1, ... more

Mohammed Jamous, of Syria, walks to the security gate at IAH while escorted to the gate by The Palestinian Children's Relief Fund to start his long journey home to Jordan on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, in Houston.

Mohammed Jamous, of Syria, walks to the security gate at IAH while escorted to the gate by The Palestinian Children's Relief Fund to start his long journey home to Jordan on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, in Houston.